Embedding a media hotspot within a digital media file

ABSTRACT

A computer-related and/or business type method is presented for embedding one or more media hotspots within a digital media file and, in response to interaction from a separate target entity, such as via an associating request, associating one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s). In exchange for associating the one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s), an interactive media service entity being affiliated with a web site displaying the digital media file and/or a user being affiliated with the digital media file itself is compensated based upon at least one compensation plan.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/022,777 filed Feb. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,103 B2 issuedApr. 10, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/070,370 filed Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,951 B1. Eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification is generally directed to a computer-relatedmethod for embedding one or more media hotspots within a digital mediafile, and, by virtue of interaction from a separate target entity via aninteractive computer network, associating the media hotspot with one ormore resultant actions, such as, for example, a pop-up display, web sitere-direction, macro execution, etc.

BACKGROUND

As computer-related technology continues to expand and dominate variousaspects of modern-day society, individual people as well as smallbusinesses and large corporations tend to utilize computers and theWorld Wide Web to conduct a significant amount of day-to-day activities.In particular, not only has the World Wide Web evolved into a massivesource of gathering a vast amount of information, but the World Wide Webcan also be utilized as an important tool or medium for advertising andmarketing. For example, one type of advertising and/or marketingcampaign conducted via the World Wide Web includes the use of webbanner(s) or banner ad(s) which, in general, is a an embeddedadvertisement disposed within one or more web pages. However, becausecomputers and the World Wide Web have such an extravagant impact onmodern-day society and today's economic market, many businesses andcorporations are continuously seeking for innovative ways to increasetheir advertising and marketing campaigns conducted electronically suchas via the World Wide Web.

In addition, the World Wide Web is also commonly utilized by individualsand businesses or other users to upload, share, distribute, and displayvarious digital media files, such as, for example, video clips or othervideo content. Specifically, perhaps because many users do not havepersonal web space or their own web servers, video hosting/sharingservices or other interactive media services, such as, for example,YOUTUBE® (www.youtube.com) have evolved. Virtually any assortment ofvideo content or other digital media files are typically uploaded to theinteractive media services, including, but not limited to, movie clips,television clips, music videos, and amateur or personal content.Moreover, at least some of the existing video hosting/sharing servicesor other interactive media services track and/or display the number ofrequests, commonly known as “hits” or “views”, for each particular videoor other digital media file disposed on their web server(s).

Furthermore, a user, which, as used herein is defined as an entityaffiliated with the digital media file, may include for example theindividual or entity who created, edited, uploaded, owns or is otherwisein control of the video content or other digital media file. Further,the user may, if desired, embed one or more media hotspots within avideo or other digital media file. In particular, a media hotspotincludes a demarcated area or zone disposed within peripheral confinesof the digital media file typically used for hyperlinking or otherGraphical User Interface (GUI) based activities, such as, pop-updisplays, web page re-direction, macro execution, etc.

In general, if one or more media hotspots are desired, the user maydemarcate or define at least one outer boundary of the media hotspot andembed or otherwise associate a resultant action to occur when a viewerclicks on or otherwise manipulates the media hotspot. The user may thenupload or link the video or other digital media file to a web server,such as a video hosting/sharing service for others to view or access viathe World Wide Web. The media hotspot, however, is typically demarcated,established, or otherwise defined by the user, such as the owner orother entity controlling the digital media file. In particular, themedia hotspot may be demarcated and the corresponding resultant actionmay be associated therewith prior to uploading the digital media file tothe World Wide Web, and/or while embedding the file into a web page, forexample, by utilizing Hypertext Mark-up Language (“HTML”) or otherprogramming techniques.

Either way, it would be particularly beneficial if the computer-relatedmethod of the present specification includes permitting a separatetarget entity, such as, for example, an advertiser and/or marketer, toat least partially demarcate or otherwise define a media hotspot withina user's digital media file. In particular, the user's video content orother digital media file, and thus the corresponding media hotspot(s)embedded therein, may be accessible to one or more viewers via aninteractive computer network, such as the World Wide Web.

Additionally, it would also be beneficial if the method of the presentspecification includes permitting the target entity to associate atleast one resultant action with a demarcated or defined media hotspot,wherein the media hotspot is disposed within a user's video content orother digital media file. Accordingly, the target entity may create oneor more media hotspots within a digital media file, such as a videoclip, and associate the media hotspot(s) with a resultant action, suchas a hyperlink to the target entity's web site or a web site which sellsgoods and/or services owned or controlled by the target entity. Inparticular, the target entity may strategically choose a particularvideo clip or other digital media file that is associated with a largenumber of “hits” or “views”.

It would be further advantageous if the method of the presentspecification includes one or more compensation plans wherein the targetentity compensates either the interactive media service and/or theparticular user or other media file entity in exchange for associating aresultant action with one or more media hotspots embedded within theuser's digital media file. The compensation plan(s) may include aone-time payment, periodic payments, pay-per-click payments, and/or anyother plan to compensate the user(s) and/or interactive mediaservice(s).

SUMMARY

The present specification is directed to a computer-relatedbusiness-type method for embedding a media hotspot within a digitalmedia file, and, in at least one embodiment, by virtue of interactionfrom a separate target entity, associating at least one resultant actiontherewith. Moreover, in exchange for associating a resultant action witha media hotspot demarcated or otherwise embedded within the digitalmedia file, the separate target entity compensates an interactive mediaservice entity being affiliated with a web site displaying the digitalmedia file to one or more viewers. In another embodiment, however, theseparate target entity compensates a user who created, controls,uploaded, or is otherwise affiliated with the digital media file withinwhich the media hotspot is embedded.

In particular, the user may upload one or more digital media files to aweb site controlled or otherwise affiliated with an interactive mediaservice entity. The user may, if desired, demarcate, define, orotherwise embed one or more media hotspots within the digital media fileprior to uploading the file to the web site or its affiliated webservers. In such an embodiment, a separate target entity chooses whichdemarcated media hotspot(s) it desires to have its resultant action(s)associated with. As will be explained below, the resultant action(s) mayinclude, for example, a pop-up display, web site redirection, pop-upchat box(es), macro execution, etc.

In yet another embodiment, however, the user may simply upload thedigital media file to the web site or its affiliated web servers, andallow or permit the separate target entity to identify zones, areas,portions, etc. of the digital media file where it desires to have themedia hotspot demarcated or otherwise embedded. In such an embodiment,the separate target entity identifies both the location of the mediahotspot and the resultant action to be associated therewith.

As such, the separate target entity may compensate the interactive mediaservice entity and/or the user in one or more of a variety of manners.For example, the separate target entity may transmit a one-time paymentor other compensation for the ability to associate one or more resultantactions with one or more media hotspots. In addition, however, becausethe number of “hits” or “views” can be easily tracked, the separatetarget entity may compensate the interactive media service entity and/orthe user based upon the number of “hits” or “views” the digital mediafile enjoys, and/or the number of times the particular resultant actionis executed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chat illustrating at least one embodiment of the methoddisclosed in the present specification.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of at least one embodimentdisclosed in the present specification.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of at least one embodiment of a digital mediafile as disclosed in the present specification.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of at least one embodiment of a web sitedisclosed in the present specification.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of at least one embodiment of a resultantaction disclosed in the present specification being executed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of a resultantaction disclosed in the present specification being executed.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying drawings, and in particular, FIG. 1, thepresent specification relates to a computer-related method 100 forembedding at least one media hotspot within a digital media file,and/or, in at least one embodiment, by virtue of interaction by aseparate target entity via an interactive computer network, associatingthe at least one media hotspot with one or more resultant actions. Inparticular, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the present specification includesan interactive media service entity 10, a user 20, and a separate targetentity 30. The interactive media service entity 10 includes, forexample, any one or more individual(s), partnership(s), corporation(s),or other entity who owns, is in control of, associated with, or isotherwise affiliated with a web site 12, wherein the web site 12 ishosted by, or otherwise disposed in a communicative relation with one ormore web servers 14. More in particular, the web site 12 may include oneor a plurality of web pages disposed on a hard drive or other storagemedium of the web server(s) 14. As will be discussed in greater detailbelow, the digital media file 60 of the various embodiments of thepresent specification is disposed in an accessible relation to one ormore viewers 40 via the web site 12, by virtue of the interactivecomputer network 50. Moreover, the web server(s) 14 may include acomputer which is structured to accept requests, such as, for example,Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”) requests, from clients and/or webbrowsers. Similarly, the web server(s) 14 are structured to serveresponses, such as, for example, HTTP responses, via the interactivecomputer network 50.

Furthermore, the one or more web sites 12 of at least one embodiment ofthe present specification are structured and developed to facilitate oneor more users 20 to upload one or more digital media files 60, forexample, to the web server(s) 14. Additionally, in another embodiment,the user 10 may upload the digital media file 60 to another,non-affiliated web server, and link, embed, or otherwise display thedigital media file 60 on the one or more web sites 12 of the presentspecification.

The user 20, as defined herein, includes any individual(s),partnership(s), corporation(s), business(es), or other entity thatcreated, edited, owns, or is otherwise in control of or affiliated withone or more digital media files 60. Additionally, in at least oneembodiment, each user 20 has an account or membership with theinteractive media service entity 10 such that the user 20 may disposethe digital media files 60, such as videos, animation, photographs,digital art, etc. in a communicative relation with the web site 12and/or web server(s) 14.

Furthermore, as will become apparent from the following discussion, theuser 20, in at least one embodiment, may dispose the digital mediafile(s) 60 in a communicative relation with the web server(s) 14 in anyone of a plurality of manners. For example, the user 20 may utilize acomputer 22 connected to or otherwise disposed in a communicativerelation with the interactive computer network 50 to upload the digitalmedia file(s) 60 to the web server(s) 14. The computer 22 may includevirtually any electronic device having communication functionalities,such as, for example, a laptop computer, desktop computer, personaldigital assistant (“PDA”), cellular telephone, video game console, etc.

Moreover, as will also become apparent from the following discussion,the separate target entity 30, as used herein, includes anyindividual(s), partnership(s), corporation(s), business(es) or otherentity having the desire to embed a media hotspot 62 within any one ormore digital media files 60, and/or to associate a resultant action 64with any one or more media hotspots 62 embedded within one or moredigital media files 60. Specifically, for any one particular digitalmedia file 60, the user 20 and the separate target entity 30 areseparate, distinct, and preferably non-affiliated entities. Accordingly,as will be discussed below, in at least one embodiment of the presentspecification, the separate target entity 30 is not the entity thatuploads, and/or is otherwise affiliated with or in complete control ofthe particular digital media file 60 within which it desires to embed amedia hotspot 62 or associate a resultant action 64.

Moreover, the interactive computer network 50, as used herein, may, inat least one embodiment, generally refer to a collection ofcomputer-related networks commonly known as the World Wide Web.Specifically, the World Wide Web represents a collection of networkscooperatively connected to each other and accessed by virtue of anInternet Protocol or other like protocols. However, it should beapparent that the interactive computer network 50 of the variousembodiments of the present specification may include, for example, aWide Area Network (“WAN”), Local Area Network (“LAN”), Intranet,peer-to-peer network, Blue Tooth network, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the computer-related method 100 of at leastone embodiment of the present specification includes disposing thedigital media file in an accessible relation to at least one viewer viaa web site, as identified at 102, wherein the web site 12 is hosted bythe web server(s) 14. Particularly, as mentioned above, in at least oneembodiment, the user 20 uploads the digital media file 60 to the webserver(s) 14 which is structured to host the web site 12. Accordingly,the web site 12 of at least one embodiment of the present specificationincludes a form, option, or feature to allow a user 20 to upload one ormore files, such as the digital media file(s) 60 to the one or more webservers 14.

Furthermore, the user 20 may, in yet another embodiment, upload thedigital media file(s) 60 to another, non-affiliated web server, orotherwise dispose the digital media file(s) 60 in a communicativerelation therewith. The user may then simply link or embed the digitalmedia file(s) 60 within the web site 12 such that the digital mediafile(s) 60 is disposed in an accessible relation to one or more viewers40 via the web site 12. Accordingly, by utilizing a computer 42 or othersimilar device or structure, the viewer 40 is able to access the one ormore web sites 12, such as, for example, via a web browser 70, which maybe displayed on a monitor 43 or other display device. Particularly, thecomputer 42 may include, for example, a laptop computer, desktopcomputer, PDA, cellular telephone, video game console, or any otherdevice structured to facilitate the practice of the present invention inthe intended fashion.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one embodiment of the present specificationfurther includes demarcating the at least one media hotspot tocorrespond with at least a portion of the digital media file, asrepresented at 104. In particular, as described above, the digital mediafile 60 may include a video clip or other video content. Forillustrative purposes only, the video clip may include a particularobject, representing, for example, a soda can or portable mp3 playerappearing at one or more temporal portions of the video content or otherdigital media file 60. In particular, the object, such as the soda canor portable mp3 player, may appear, for example, at a portion of thedigital media file 60 defined between five (5) seconds and thirty (30)seconds after the beginning (i.e., at zero (0) seconds) of the videoclip or other digital media file 60. As such, the at least one mediahotspot 62 may be demarcated or defined as a zone or area having outerboundaries cooperatively disposed around one or more object(s) appearingin the digital media file 60, such as the soda can or portable mp3player, which, in the particular illustrative embodiment describedabove, appear in the digital media file 60 between five (5) and thirty(30) seconds.

Of course, the various embodiments of the present specification are not,in any way limited to the above illustrative example, and further, themedia hotspot 62 need not be associated with an object appearing withinthe digital media file 60. Rather, the media hotspot 62 may include, forexample, the entire digital media file 60, or any one or more outerboundaries disposed within the peripheral confines of the digital mediafile 60 whether or not the outer boundaries correlate with, areassociated with, or line up with any one or more objects, shapes, lines,etc. appearing within the digital media file 60. Moreover, theperipheral confines of the digital media file 60, as used herein,includes the outer boundary lines of digital media file 60, as it isultimately displayed on the web site 12 to the viewer 40.

Further, the media hotspot 62 may be demarcated or otherwise embedded ordefined in any one of a variety of manners. For example, in at least oneembodiment of the present specification, the media hotspot 62 may bedemarcated within the digital media file 60 by utilizing a computerprogram, including but not limited to a video-editing program, to defineone or more outer boundary lines or other points which will ultimatelybe the media hotspot 62. In addition, the media hotspot 62, in at leastone embodiment, may be demarcated at the point of embedding the digitalmedia file 60 within the web site 12, or otherwise disposing the digitalmedia file 60 in a communicative relation with the web server 14. Forexample, the media hotspot 62 may be demarcated by utilizing any one ormore scripts, tags, programming languages, etc., such as, for example,Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language(“XHTML”), Hypertext Preprocessor (“PHP”), Active Server Pages (“ASP”),MACROMEDIA FLASH®, etc.

Furthermore, in at least one embodiment of the present specification,the media hotspot 62 may be demarcated on one or more digital screenswhich are structured to be disposed in an overlying manner relative tothe digital media file 60. Accordingly, in the embodiment wherein thedigital media file 60 includes a video clip or other video content, thedigital screen or other like mechanism or device, which is structured toinclude the one or more media hotspots 62 demarcated thereon, isdisposed in an overlaying manner relative to the video content and isstructured to cooperatively dispose the demarcated media hotspot(s) 62in an overlying relation to the corresponding designated zones, areas,and/or portions as the video content or other digital media file 60runs, plays, or otherwise executes. As such, the digital screen isstructured to be substantially imperceptible to the viewer 40, at leastto the extent that it appears to the viewer 40 that the media hotspot 62is embedded or demarcated within the digital media file 60 itself.

As will be explained below, the media hotspot 62 of the variousembodiments of the present specification may be demarcated by theinteractive media service entity 10, the user 20, the separate targetentity 30, and/or any other entity which facilitates the practice of thepresent invention in the intended manner. Accordingly, the user 20 may,if desired, designate or identify particular objects, areas, zones, etc.within the digital media file 60 within which to use as demarcated mediahotspots 60. In particular, in at least one embodiment, the user 20demarcates the media hotspot 60 within the digital media file 60 in anyone or more manners, such as, for example, by utilizing a computerprogram, script, programming language, and/or overlaying a screen, asdescribed above.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present specification, theuser 20 may designate one or more objects, areas, zones, etc. and maysubsequently identify them to the interactive media service entity 10.As such, the interactive media service entity 10 may provide a form orother feature or option accessible via the web site 12 wherein the user20 may communicate the designated objects, areas, or zones to theinteractive media service entity 10. The interactive media serviceentity 10 may then subsequently demarcate the media hotspot 60, forexample, by utilizing any one or more of a plurality of manners, asidentified above. In particular, the interactive media service entity 10may embed or demarcate the media hotspot 62 directly within the digitalmedia file 60. However, the interactive media service entity 10 mayinstead or additionally embed or demarcate the media hotspot 62 within adigital screen which, as described above, is disposed in an overlyingrelation to the digital media file 60.

Additionally, in yet another embodiment of the present specification,the separate target entity 30 may submit a demarcating request 32 to theuser 20 and/or the interactive media service entity 10, for example, viathe web site 12 and/or the interactive computer network 50.Specifically, the demarcating request 32 of at least one embodimentincludes an identification of at least one boundary, area, zone, orobject within the digital media file 60 which the separate target entity30 desires to demarcate as a media hotspot 62. Furthermore, thedemarcating request 32 of at least one embodiment of the presentspecification includes an identification of at least one temporalportion of the digital media file 60. IN particular, in the embodimentwherein the digital media file 60 includes a video clip or other movingcontent, the identification of at least one temporal portion mayinclude, for example, five (5) seconds to thirty (30 seconds of thevideo or other digital media file 60.

In response to the demarcating request 32 from the separate targetentity 30, in at least one embodiment, the media hotspot 62 isautomatically demarcated at the corresponding areas, zones, objects,etc. However, in yet another embodiment, the user 20 and/or theinteractive media service entity 10 may receive the demarcating request32 from the separate target entity 30, and if desired, may subsequentlydemarcate the media hotspot 62 within the corresponding digital mediafile 60 and/or a digital screen accordingly.

For illustrative purposes only, the separate target entity 30 mayinclude a company or other business who sells, markets, advertises, oris otherwise affiliated with one or more products, such as, for example,portable mp3 players. The separate target entity 30, or a representativethereof, may become aware of a digital media file 60, such as a videoclip, which includes, at some portion thereof, a portable mp3 player orother similar object or product. In addition, the particular digitalmedia file 60 might be attractive to the separate target entity 30 for avariety of advertising, marketing, or other reasons. For example, theseparate target entity 30 may anticipate that the particular digitalmedia file 30 will have a significant number of “hits” or “views,” orknows that the particular digital media file 60 has enjoyed asignificant number of “hits” or “views” in the past. Either way, theseparate target entity 30 may communicate one or more demarcatingrequests 32 to the interactive media service entity 10 and/or user 20identifying the object, area, zone, etc. Accordingly, referring onceagain to the same illustrative embodiment described above, thedemarcating request 32 may identify, for example, the portable mp3player which appears within the video clip or other digital media file60 between five (5) seconds and thirty (30) seconds. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the web site 12 may include a form, input box, option, or otherfeature 72 to allow the separate target entity 30 to communicate thedemarcating request 32 to the interactive media service entity 10 oruser 20. Of course, demarcating the media hotspot 62 alone will likelyhave little to no advantage to the separate target entity 30, however,its significance will become apparent from the following discussion.

Once the media hotspot 62 is demarcated or otherwise embedded within thedigital media file 60, whether is it done via a computer program,script, overlying digital screen, etc. or by the interactive mediaservice entity 10, the user 20, and/or the separate target entity 30,the media hotspot 62 in at least one embodiment may glow, blink, orflash to indicate to a viewer 40 its existence. In addition, the outerboundary lines or points of the media hotspot 62 may be bold, colored,or otherwise structured to separate the media hotspot 62 from othernon-hotspot portions of the digital media file 60. Furthermore, when aviewer 40 rolls a mouse or other pointing device over the media hotspot62, the pointing device may change shapes, flash, blink, etc.

In addition, at least one embodiment of the method 100 of the presentinvention includes, in response to an associating request 34 from theseparate target entity 30, associating, in electronic digital form, aresultant action with the at least one media hotspot, as illustrated at106 in FIG. 1. In particular, regardless of how the media hotspot 62 wasdemarcated or otherwise embedded within the digital media file 60, or bywhich entity the media hotspot 62 was demarcated, the media hotspot 62is structured to be associated with a resultant action identified by theseparate target entity 30 by virtue of the associating request 34. Theresultant action may include, but is in no way limited to, a pop-updisplay or window, web site re-direction, macro execution, etc.Accordingly, in addition to an identification of a particular mediahotspot 62, the associating request 34 may include a web site addressfor the pop-up display and/or web site re-direction. In addition, theassociating request 34 may, in at least one embodiment, include one ormore scripts, programs, etc. to run or execute upon the occurrence of apredetermined event. As such, the resultant action may also include, forexample, a pop-up chat box, execution of an e-mail program, etc.

Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the associating request 34 iscommunicated to the interactive media service entity 10 and/or user 20via the interactive computer network 50. Accordingly, the web site 12may include, for example, a text box, form, or other option or featurein which the separate target entity 30 can access so as to communicatethe associating request. In at least one embodiment, the associatingrequest 34 and the demarcating request 32, identified above, arecommunicated to the interactive media service entity 10 and/or the user20 simultaneously, however, the requests 32, 34 may, in anotherembodiment, be communicated separately.

In addition, referring again to FIG. 1, the method 100 of the presentspecification further includes displaying the digital media file 60 tothe at least one viewer via the interactive computer network 50,indicated at 108. As described above, the digital media file 60 isdisposed in an accessible relation to the viewer 40 via the web site 12.As such, the viewer 40 may visit the web site 12 by utilizing, forexample, a web browser 70, which is structured to transmit various HTTP,or other requests to the web server 14. The web server 14 then respondsto the HTTP or other requests by communicating HTTP or other responsesto the viewer 40. As such, the viewer 40 may view or otherwise accessthe digital media file 60, and thus each of the media hotspots 62demarcated or embedded therein, and the corresponding resultant actionsassociated therewith.

More in particular, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the method 100 of thepresent specification further includes, executing the at least oneresultant action upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, as shownat 110. The predetermined event may include, for example, disposing amouse or other pointing device over the media hotspot 62 (e.g.,mouseover event), clicking on the media hotspot 62 with a mouse or otherpointing device, manipulating keys or buttons on a keyboard or otherperipheral device, etc.

Accordingly, as above, upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, thepop-up display, web site re-direction, macro execution, or otherresultant action is structured to run or otherwise execute. Moreover,upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, in at least oneembodiment, a pop-up display 80 or window may appear on the viewer's 40computer monitor or other display device 43, as shown in FIG. 5, or website redirection may occur, as shown in FIG. 6. As such, the separatetarget entity 30 may desire to associate a link or pop-up display 80with a particular media hotspot 60, which, when executed, is structuredto present a pop-up display 80 on the viewer's 40 display device 43, ordirect the viewer's web browser 43 or other like device to the aparticular web site, such as, for example, the separate target entity's30 web site or a third party vendor's web site.

Thus, turning again to the same illustrative embodiment described above,a hotspot may be demarcated around the object representing the portablemp3 player, which may appear during one or more portions of the digitalmedia file 60. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as theviewer 40 manipulating or clicking on the media hotspot 62, a pop-updisplay 80 may appear which, in the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 5, may advertise and/or sell the portable mp3 player. Again, thevarious embodiments of the present specification are not, in any way,limited to the illustrative embodiments descried or presented herein.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the present specification furtherincludes compensating the interactive media service entity 10 and/or theuser 20, as represented at 112. Particularly, in at least one embodimentof the present specification, the separate target entity 30 compensatesthe interactive media service entity 30 and/or the user 20 for beingable to associate one or more resultant actions, such as the pop-updisplay, web site redirection, macro execution, etc., with one or moremedia hotspots 62 embedded within a digital media file 60 displayed onthe web site 12. Of course a variety of payment and/or compensationplans are contemplated. For example, the separate target entity 30, inat least one embodiment, pays a one-time fee to associate a resultantaction with any one or more media hotspots 62. The payment may bedirectly to the interactive media service entity 10, and/or the user 20.

Moreover, in yet another embodiment, the separate target entity 30 paysor otherwise compensates the interactive media service entity 10 and/orthe user 20 based upon the number of “views” or “hits” the digital mediafile 60 enjoys and/or based upon the number of times the correspondingresultant action gets executed or otherwise displayed to the viewer 40.Of course the compensation plans are not, in any way limited to theabove described illustrative examples.

In yet another embodiment of the present specification, the user 20demarcates the media hotspot 62 and associates at least one resultantaction therewith prior to uploading the digital media file 60 to the webserver 14 and/or otherwise disposing the digital media file 60 incommunicative relation therewith. In particular, the resultant actionmay include a pop-up display, web site re-direction, etc. which may beassociated with or otherwise related to the user 20. Accordingly, theuser 20 may compensate the interactive media service 10 based upon atleast one compensation plan associated with the digital media file 60and/or the media hotspot(s) 62. For example, the user 20 may compensatethe interactive media service 10 based upon the number or volume ofmedia hotpots 62 embedded within the digital media file 60. Thecompensation may be a flat fee or based upon a periodic payment, such asmonthly or yearly. In addition, the user 20 may compensate theinteractive media service 10 based upon the “views”, “hits” or othertraffic that accesses or views the digital media file 60. Furthermore,in at least one embodiment, the user 20 may compensate the interactivemedia service 10 based upon the number of “clicks” on the one or moremedia hotspots 62, and/or based upon a percentage of money the user 20collects for transactions related to or otherwise affiliated with thedigital media file 60 and/or media hotspot(s) 62.

For exemplary purposes only, the user 20 may upload or otherwise disposea digital media file 60 in communicative relation with the web server14, wherein the digital media file 60 includes a video related to acharity. The user 20 may demarcate or embed one or more media hotspots62 within the video wherein the resultant action(s) associated therewithinclude additional information and/or one or more ways to facilitate aviewer to donate to the charity, for example. Accordingly, the user 20may compensate the interactive media service 10 based on any one or morecompensation plans, which may include, for example, a monthly, yearly,or other periodic payment based upon the number of media hotspots 62embedded within the digital media file 60, and/or a percentage of moneycollected as donations to the charity.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for use in a system comprising a serveraccessible to a target entity via a network, the method comprising:determining, by the target entity, that digital media content isavailable on the server; identifying, by the target entity, a portion ofthe digital media content for demarcating with a media hotspot;determining, by the target entity, a resulting action associated withthe media hotspot; and sending, from the target entity to the server viathe network, a demarcation request and an associating request, whereinthe demarcation request comprises an indication of the media hotspot,and wherein the associating request comprises an indication of theresulting action; wherein the server is configured to create embeddeddigital media content comprising the digital media content having themedia hotspot demarcated therein, and wherein the server is furtherconfigured to send, to a user computing device in response to a requestfor the digital media content, the embedded digital media content andinstructions to perform the resulting action upon detection of aselection of the media hotspot within the embedded digital mediacontent.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target entity, theserver, and the user computing device are all different from oneanother.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the demarcation requestcomprises an indication of the portion of the digital media content. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the portion of the digital media contentindicated in the demarcation request is a temporal portion of thedigital media content.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the portion ofthe digital media content indicated in the demarcation request comprisesan area disposed within the digital media content.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the server, an indicationthat the resulting action associated with the media hotspot has beenperformed one or more times.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: submitting payment for each of the one or more times thatthe resulting action has been performed.
 8. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon for use ina system comprising a server accessible to a target entity via anetwork, the instructions comprising: instructions to determine, by thetarget entity, that digital media content is available on the server;instructions to identify, by the target entity, a portion of the digitalmedia content for demarcating with a media hotspot; instructions todetermine, by the target entity, a resulting action associated with themedia hotspot; and instructions to send, from the target entity to theserver via the network, a demarcation request and an associatingrequest, wherein the demarcation request comprises an indication of themedia hotspot, and wherein the associating request comprises anindication of the resulting action; wherein the server is configured tocreate embedded digital media content comprising the digital mediacontent having the media hotspot demarcated therein, and wherein theserver is further configured to send, to a user computing device inresponse to a request for the digital media content, the embeddeddigital media content and instructions to perform the resulting actionupon detection of a selection of the media hotspot within the embeddeddigital media content.
 9. The computer readable storage medium of claim8, wherein the target entity, the server, and the user computing deviceare all different from one another.
 10. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the demarcation request comprises anindication of the portion of the digital media content.
 11. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the portion of the digitalmedia content indicated in the demarcation request is a temporal portionof the digital media content.
 12. The computer readable storage mediumof claim 10, wherein the portion of the digital media content indicatedin the demarcation request comprises an area disposed within the digitalmedia content.
 13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, theinstructions further comprising: instructions to receive, from theserver, an indication that the resulting action associated with themedia hotspot has been performed one or more times.
 14. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 13, the instructions furthercomprising: instructions to submit payment for each of the one or moretimes that the resulting action has been performed.
 15. A systemcomprising: a communication mechanism configured to communicate with aserver via a network; and one or more computing devices configured to:determine that digital media content is available on the server,identify a portion of the digital media content for demarcating with amedia hotspot, determine a resulting action associated with the mediahotspot, and send, to the server via the network, a demarcation requestand an associating request, wherein the demarcation request comprises anindication of the media hotspot, and wherein the associating requestcomprises an indication of the resulting action; wherein the server isconfigured to create embedded digital media content comprising thedigital media content having the media hotspot demarcated therein, andwherein the server is further configured to send, to a user computingdevice in response to a request for the digital media content, theembedded digital media content and instructions to perform the resultingaction upon detection of a selection of the media hotspot within theembedded digital media content.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thesystem, the server, and the computing device are all different from oneanother.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the demarcation requestcomprises an indication of the portion of the digital media content. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein the portion of the digital media contentindicated in the demarcation request is a temporal portion of thedigital media content.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the portionof the digital media content indicated in the demarcation requestcomprises an area disposed within the digital media content.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the one or more computing devices arefurther configured to: receive, from the server, an indication that theresulting action associated with the media hotspot has been performedone or more times; and submit payment for each of the one or more timesthat the resulting action has been performed.